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Tolkien has the period trappings and strong performances of a worthy biopic, but lacks the imagination required to truly do its subject justice.
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All Critics (190) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (96) | Rotten (94)
The film looks great, a polished period piece, but the pedigree is ragged... The result is polite, plodding and unconvincing, like most movies about famous writers. Jun 12, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The film looks great, a polished period piece, but the pedigree is ragged... The result is polite, plodding and unconvincing, like most movies about famous writers.
Paul Byrnes
"Tolkien" doesn't seem all that interested in providing any kind of entertainment. May 14, 2019 | Rating: C | Full Review…
"Tolkien" doesn't seem all that interested in providing any kind of entertainment.
David Ehrlich
Tolkien may have been the most important modern fantasy author but the movie bearing his name won't stand the test of time. May 11, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Tolkien may have been the most important modern fantasy author but the movie bearing his name won't stand the test of time.
James Berardinelli
If you're going to tell the story of one of the most imaginative writing minds of the 20th century, why not infuse it with more ... imagination? May 10, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
If you're going to tell the story of one of the most imaginative writing minds of the 20th century, why not infuse it with more ... imagination?
Richard Roeper
Why do people keep making films about writers? May 10, 2019 | Full Review…
Why do people keep making films about writers?
Anthony Lane
For a film that seems to aspire to greatness, "Tolkien" is done in by its lack of vision. That was one quality which Tolkien himself was never accused of lacking. May 10, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
For a film that seems to aspire to greatness, "Tolkien" is done in by its lack of vision. That was one quality which Tolkien himself was never accused of lacking.
Matthew Rozsa
Tolkien succeeds (in a non-entertaining way) in showing how regular people's lives can inspire great works, but it utterly fails in showing the importance and impact of the work itself, which is why we're actually drawn to the man. Dec 6, 2019 | Full Review…
Tolkien succeeds (in a non-entertaining way) in showing how regular people's lives can inspire great works, but it utterly fails in showing the importance and impact of the work itself, which is why we're actually drawn to the man.
Kellen Beck
The strength of this film resides not in its storytelling, but in the performances conveyed by the actors onscreen as well as the visuals that infused magic with reality. Sep 30, 2019 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…
The strength of this film resides not in its storytelling, but in the performances conveyed by the actors onscreen as well as the visuals that infused magic with reality.
Sarah Musnicky
It's not terribly interesting. There are more interesting things about Tolkien in this period that [this movie] is not telling. Sep 27, 2019 | Full Review…
It's not terribly interesting. There are more interesting things about Tolkien in this period that [this movie] is not telling.
Charles Solomon
Tolkien observes the general human need for kindred spirits, comrades-in-arms, cohorts to spur passion and purpose, friends to live and love and die alongside. Aug 19, 2019 | Full Review…
Tolkien observes the general human need for kindred spirits, comrades-in-arms, cohorts to spur passion and purpose, friends to live and love and die alongside.
Brett McCracken
Hoult does a fine job portraying the troubled young man who would later become an incredible author. He comes across as intelligent, passionate and compassionate. Aug 12, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Hoult does a fine job portraying the troubled young man who would later become an incredible author. He comes across as intelligent, passionate and compassionate.
Allison Rose
The spoon-feeding does not just feel silly and pandering, it is distracting - as in a video game, Easter egg-hunting draws attention away from the key story. Jul 17, 2019 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
The spoon-feeding does not just feel silly and pandering, it is distracting - as in a video game, Easter egg-hunting draws attention away from the key story.
John Lui
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